Hoque, the councillor for St Edmund’s, does have a right to appeal, but is no longer a Conservative representative. It is understood he will continue to serve out his term as mayor as an independent…reports Asian Lite News
A councillor has been kicked out of the Conservative Party over alleged antisemitic remarks, the BBC reported.
The Salisbury Conservative Association said it had received a formal complaint about “offensive and inappropriate comments” by Salisbury mayor Atiqul Hoque on social media and WhatsApp.
The party said it would expel the councillor following an investigation. Hoque is a ward councillor on Salisbury City Council and has been mayor since May 2023.
An association spokesman said the party was “committed to upholding the values of tolerance, diversity, and respect”. After receiving the complaint, he said they had “initiated a thorough investigation, in accordance with our robust complaints process”.
He said: “Following a careful examination of the evidence, it has been determined that councillor Hoque’s comments are in clear breach of the standards expected from individuals holding public office. We take such matters seriously and prioritise the maintenance of high ethical standards and values within our party.”
The complaints process allows individuals the opportunity to present their perspective and “allows for a fair and impartial assessment of the situation”, he added.
Hoque, the councillor for St Edmund’s, does have a right to appeal, but is no longer a Conservative representative. It is understood he will continue to serve out his term as mayor as an independent.
Meanwhile, reports of antisemitic incidents in the UK reached a record high last year, according to figures from a Jewish security charity. The Community Security Trust (CST) recorded reports of 4,103 anti-Jewish hate incidents in 2023, up from 1,662 in 2022 and almost double the previous record of 2,255 hit in 2021.
Its annual report relies on figures from incidents that are self-reported. Two-thirds of incidents happened on or after the Hamas attacks on 7 October.
CST’s annual report also found antisemitic incidents in and around schools have more than tripled since 2022. Many Jewish schools have increased security since last October, including King David High School in Manchester.
While pupils feel safe at school, some say they have been subjected to abuse while travelling there and back. Verbal abuse on the street has become part of daily life for pupils like Yoni.
“A lot of the time I do feel quite afraid walking around with a kippah [skullcap] because it makes me identifiably Jewish,” he said. “Personally, when I’ve been walking down the street I’ve had stuff shouted at me from cars and it’s had quite an impact.
